PRESS RELEASE: Pioneers of electromobility: Albwerk and SMART/LAB shape the future with the world's largest charging park

Aachen / Geislingen / Merklingen, 25/03/2024

SMART/LAB, together with Albwerk subsidiary Albwerk Elektro- und Kommunikationstechnik GmbH, is setting a milestone in electromobility: with 259 covered charging points for electric vehicles, they are currently presenting the largest charging park in the world. The facility utilises solar energy and is expected to produce around 990,000 kWh of green electricity per year with its solar modules. In addition to the realisation of this important construction project, the aim of the cooperation is also to provide reliable software for the charging infrastructure.

Together with Albwerk, SMART/LAB is playing a pioneering role in this ground-breaking project: equipping the world's largest charging park in Merklingen, Germany. A total of 12 companies were involved in the construction of the charging park, which was coordinated by the regional planning office Bohnacker.

This was made possible by the municipal association "Region Schwäbische Alb", which invested a total of around 3.5 million euros in the construction of the entire charging infrastructure and was supported by the state of Baden-Württemberg with a grant of 75 per cent. The photovoltaic system on the roof with an output of around 900 kWp was financed by the association alone. The special-purpose association is also the operator of the system and has commissioned Albwerk to provide all services for ongoing operation.

"With the new Merklingen-Schwäbische Alb railway station, we have already set a milestone in the development of our region. With the Merklingen charging park, we are setting another milestone in actively shaping the way we tackle climate change," says Werner Zimmermann, Managing Director of the special-purpose association.

With its 259 charging points, the solar carport at Merklingen railway station surpasses the largest charging park to date at Shenzhen Airport (China) by one charging point. "You only realise the full extent of this huge charging park when you stand on site. It really is an impressive project that the special-purpose association and its partners have put together. We at SMART/LAB are really proud that we were able to establish a Europe-wide network of charging points for the charging network," says Dr Mark Steffen Walcher, Managing Director of SMART/LAB.

As a technology partner for a flagship project of this magnitude, market leader SMART/LAB is actively committed to sustainable mobility and is setting new standards in the development of innovative charging infrastructures. SMART/LAB's advanced backend system not only enables efficient management of the charging infrastructure, but also provides state-of-the-art functions for user interaction, real-time monitoring and secure payment processing. In addition to the classic charging card, payments can also be made via app or payment terminals.

The entire charging infrastructure was planned, prepared and installed by Albwerk - based on the implementation planning of the planning offices Wassermüller GmbH from Ulm and Bohnacker GmbH from Schelklingen. The Geislingen-based company was also entrusted with setting up and installing the network technology for controlling the charging stations, the barrier system and the payment terminals. Albwerk was also responsible for networking the video surveillance for the ultra-modern car park system in close coordination with Reif GmbH from Heroldstatt, which planned and implemented the car park system and the video system. The modern parking system records the car number plates and thus regulates access to the car park as well as the billing of the parking fee.

"With our strong partner network, we have realised a special project that uses modern AI technology. We have thus impressively demonstrated our philosophy and our goal of joint project work in a spirit of partnership," says Andreas Baumann, Managing Director of Reif GmbH, which was responsible for the car park system, among other things.

As a service provider for the special-purpose association, Albwerk is now also responsible for the billing of charging processes and a 24-hour hotline for users of the charging infrastructure following the successful commissioning.

"The construction of the e-charging park in Merklingen is a charging infrastructure project in which our entire expertise and range of services in the field of charging infrastructure came into play," says Ulli Schreiner, Managing Director of Albwerk Elektro- und Kommunikationstechnik GmbH. "However, the foundation of such complex projects is always strong partnerships. For example, we can rely on the innovative software solutions from SMART/LAB to operate the system."

Peter Rothenbacher, Managing Director of Planungsbüro Bohnacker GmbH, summarises: "It was a major task and challenge. Never before have 259 charging points been installed at one location. I think we mastered the task very well together with everyone involved. Having a good and functioning network is the basis for such complex tasks. Everyone pulled together and worked hand in hand. I am convinced that we now have the optimum solution for the park & ride car park. The holistic concept of this mobility hub is forward-looking."

This pioneering project not only gives Germany international recognition, but also attracts attention worldwide, as it takes a leading position in the promotion of pioneering electromobility solutions.